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MESSAGE 


GOVERNOR  A.  B.  MOORE, 


TO    TUB 


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January  14,  1861. 


Senate — 5000  Copies. 


3^ro:N"TGOMERY,  ALA.: 

SHORTER   &   REID,    STATE   PRINTERS,    ADVERTISER    OFFICE. 

1861. 


THE 

WILUAM  R.  PERKINS 

LIBRARY 

OF 
DUKE  UNIVERSITY 


Rare  Books 


m:  E  S  S  ^  G  E  . 


EXECUTIVE  DEPARTMENT, 

Montgomery,  Ala.,  January  14,  ISGl. 

Gentlemen  of  the  iScnate : 

Events  of  tlic  utmost  moment  liavo  rendered  it  neces- 
sary that  3-our  body  should  l)e  assembled.  At  the  last 
session  of  the  General  Assembly',  Joint  Besolutions  were 
adopted,  making  it  my  duty,  in  the  event  of  the  election 
of  a  President  b}"  the  Black  Republican  part}'  of  the 
United  States,  to  issue  my  proclamation  to  the  qualilied 
voters  "to  elect  delegates  to  a  convention  of  the  State,  to 
consider,  determine  and  do  whatever  in  the  opinion  of 
said  convention,  tlic  rights,  interests,  and  honor  of  the 
State  of  Alabama  required  to  be  done  for  their  protec- 
tion." 

The  result  of  the  election,  b}-  the  popular  vote,  clearly 
manifested  the  certainty  ot  the  election  of  their  candidate 
bj'  that  party,  and  on  the  Gth  day  of  December,  1860,  he 
Avas  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  electoral  vote  of  the 
United  States.  The  contingency  provided  for  in  the 
Joint  Resolutions  having  occurred,  I  felt  it  my  duty  to 
obey  their  instructions  at  the  earliest  moment  afterwards, 
and  on  the  7th  day  of  December,  18G0,  issued  m\'  proc^ 
lamation  accordingly,  and  also  issued  to  the  Sheritfs  of 
the  several  counties  in  the  State,  the  necessary  writs  of 
election,  to  be  held  on  the  21th  day  of  December  last. 

Before  this  convention  assembled,  gi'cat  and  important 
changes  had  taken  place  in  public  affairs,  and  especially 
in  some  of  the  Soutliern  States.  South  Carolina,  acting 
under  a  sense  of  the  common  wrong  and  threatened  dan- 
ger to  her  sister  slaveholding  States,  in  the  exercise  of 
her  sovereignty,   in  a  convention   of  her  people,   on  the 


20tli  day  of  December,  18G0,  repealed  tlie  ordinance  by 
wliicli  she  ratified  tlie  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
as  the  coni[iact  of  Union  between  herself  and  the  other 
States,  and  resumed  all  the  powers,  which,  by  that  com- 
pact, she  delegated  to  the  Government  of  the  United 
States.  Florida,  Mississippi,  Georgia,  Texas,  and  Loui- 
siana, also  called  conventions  of  their  people,  to  consider 
ot  the  exigencies  pressing  upon  them — and  the  two  first 
have  followed  the  example  of  South  Carolina,  and 
withdrawn  Irom  the  union  with  the  United  States,  and 
there  can  be  no  question  that  the  others  will  do  the  same. 

The  action  of  the  people  of  Alabama  in  their  conven- 
tion, in  withdrawing  from  the  Federal  Union  is  already 
known  to  you.  This  exercise  of  the  sovereign  power  of 
the  State,  "to  protect  the  rights,  interests  and  honor"  of 
her  people,  in  my  opinion,  must  be  regarded  as  one  of 
wisdom,  and  indeed  of  political  necessity.  The  rights  of 
the  State,  and  the  interests  of  her  citizens,  were  no  longer 
protected  in  the  Union,  and  unless  it  was  determined  to 
abandon  all  hope  of  their  preservation,  no  other  resource 
was  left  than  to  withdraw  from  the  Union,  and  throw  off 
a  government  that  failed  to  secure  them. 

Whatever  difi'erences  of  opinion  may  have  existed  as 
to  the  proper  course  of  the  State,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to 
say  that  I  have  the  strongest  assurances  that  they  will  all 
cease,  and  that  all  tlie  citizens  of  the  State,  in  obedience 
to  this  organic  law  of  the  sovereign  power,  will  sacrifice 
their  objections  on  the  altar  of  their  country,  and  with 
one  heart,  sustain  the  State  in  this  great  movement  of 
deliverance  and  liberty.  1  believe  it  will  require  all  the 
courage,  fortitude  and  patriotism  other  sons  to  meet  and 
overcome  the  approaching  storm  ;  but  I  have  an  abiding 
confidence  that  they  will  prove  themselves  equal  to  the 
■emergency,  and  deserving  the  great  destiny  th  it  awaits 
them  in  the  future.  The  events  that  occurred  in  the 
harbor  of  Charleston,  after  the  secession  of  South  Caroli- 
na, are  matters  of  historj-.  The  accounts,  received  from 
Washiiii^ton,  all  tended  to  induce  the  conviction  that  the 
"Government  of  the  United  States  intended  to  adopt  a 
system  of  coercion   against  all  the  States  that  might  se- 


cede  from  the  Union.  Gov.  Brown,  of  Georgia,  acting 
ui)on  this  hclief,  seized  upon  Fort  Pulaski,  at  the  month 
of  the  Savannali  river,  in  tlie  name  of  tlie  State  of"  Geor- 
gia, and  telegraplied  me  of  that  event.  Satisfied  that  the 
State  of  Ahdiama  would  not  remain  in  the  Union,  and  in 
view  of  the  indications  of  intention  on  the  part  of  the 
Federal  Government  to  coerce  the  seceding  States,  I 
could  no  longer  hesitate  as  to  the  course  my  duty  to  the 
State  required  me  to  pursue.  I  could  not  wait  until  that 
Government  had  thrown  troops  into  the  Forts,  command- 
ing the  entrance  into  the  harhor  of  Mohile,  and  thus 
place  that  city  and  the  State  at  the  mercy  of  the  ships  of  war 
of  the  United  States.  To  regain  possession  of  these  posts 
would  have  cost  the  State  thousa*nds  of  treasure  and  the 
best  blood  of  her  sons.  There  were  in  the  Arsenal  of 
the  United  States  at  Mount  Vernon,  on  the  Alabama 
river,  a  large  sui)[>ly  of  powder  and  small  arms,  whi.h 
might  be  used  against  the  State.  Acting  under  these 
considerations,  i  transmitted  ord^'s  by  telpi^raph  on  the/^^,  ^ 
night  of  ^  January,  to  -^MA/^^i^C,  ^^  Mobile,<^^'^ 
to  take  possession  of  Forts  Morgan  and  Gaines,  at  \\\(AL  ^'^*^^'u^ 
mouth  of  Mobile  Harbor,  and  of  the  Arsenal  at  Mount  ^^ -^3 
Vernon,  with  all  their  arms,  ammunition,  and  equip- 
ments, and  hold  them  in  the  name  of  the  State  of  Ala- 
bama. It  gives  me  pleasure  and  ]U'ide  to  make  known 
the  gallantry  and  promptitude  with  which  this  order  was 
responded  to,  hy  the  oiHcers  and  men  selected  for  that 
purpose.  The  dispatch  Avas  sent  from  this  place  at  9 
A.  M.,  and  the  Forts,  forty  miles  from  Mobile,  were  taken 
possession  of  on  the  next  night ;  and  the  Arsenal,  some 
fifty  miles  from  Mobile,  was  seized  about  day  light  next 
morning,  and  they  are  now  held  in  the  name  of  this 
State,  by  her  volunteer  troops.  In  the  Forts  were  some 
hundred  cannon — thirty-two  and  twenty-four  pound  guns; 
and  in  the  Aresnal  about  22,000  stand  of  small  arms,  and 
one  hundred  and  tifty  thousand  pounds  of  powder.  Of 
the  small  arms,  about  two  thousand  were  Mississippi 
rifles,  and  the  remainder  muskets.  I  directed  the  othcers 
in  command  at  these  posts  to  make  out  an  accurate  in- 
ventorj'  of  the  arms  and  materials  thus  obtained.  As 
soon  as  I  was  informed  that  these  posts  were  in  the  pos- 


session  of  tlie  troops  of  tlio  State,  I  comnmnicatod  tlic 
facts  to  the  President  of  tlie  United  States,  with  a  sum- 
mary of  the  reasons  Avhicli  induced  nn-  action,  to  whicli 
he  has  not  replied.  If  more  specific  information  of  the 
arms  and  conditions  of  tlie  Forts  is  desired,  I  will  furnish 
it  with  pleasure. 

Early  in  December  last  I  was  urged  to  convoke  the 
Legislature  for  the  purpose,  among  others,  of  authorizing 
the  banks  of  the  State  to  suspend  specie  payments,  iu 
order  to  relieve  the  community  in  their  embarrassed  con- 
dition. I  declined,  at  that  time,  to  do  so,  for  the  reasons 
stated  by  me  in  an  address  to  the  people  of  the  State,  a 
copy  of  which  address  is  hereto  attached,  and  to  which  I 
beg  to  call  your  attention.  In  view  of  the  condition  of 
the  State,  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  her  having  mon- 
ey, on  her  secession — and  which  event  I  confidently  anti- 
cipated— I  made  arrangements  with  the  two  banks  in 
Mobile,  the  Commercial  Bank  at  Selma,  the  Central 
Bank  at  Montgomery,  and  the  Eastern  Bank  at  Eufaula, 
that  they  should,  if  required  by  the  JjCgislature,  furnish 
to  the  State  a  loan  of  one  million  of  dollars,  in  specie  or 
its  equivalent. 

I  requested  and  urged  upon  them  to  suspend  payments 
of  specie  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  the  sura  designa- 
ted to  the  State,  and  to  relieve  the  community,  as  far  as 
possible,  by  such  assistajice  as  they  would  then  be  able  to 
give.  This  amount  of  one  million  is  to  be  advanced  by 
the  several  banks,  in  proportion  to  their  respective  capi- 
tals. The  two  banks  at  -\fobile  agreed  to  advance  a  pro- 
portional part  of  the  above  sum,  but  declined  to  suspend. 
The  Commercial  .l>aiik,  the  Central  Bank,  and  the  Eas- 
tern Bank,  agreed  to  advance  their  respective  proportions, 
and  suspended  specie  payments,  upon  m}^  promise  to  in- 
stitute no  proceedings  against  them,  and  to  urge  upon 
the  General  Assembly  the  propriety  of  its  sustaining  such 
suspensions.  The  circumstances  under  which  these  latter 
banks  acted,  and  the  motives  which  prompted  them, 
commend  their  conduct  to  the  approval  of  every  patriotic 
citizen  of  the  State,  and  I  earnestly  suggest  that  the 
Legislature,  by  legal  enactments,  sanction  their  suspen- 
sion.    I  would  further  recommend  that  the  other  banks 


of  the  State  be  severally  authorized  to  suspend  on  lend' 
ing  to  the  State  in  specie,  or  its  equivalent,  a  sum  in  pro- 
portion to  their  respective  capitals,  of  like  amount  with 
that  agreed  to  be  furnished  by  the  first  named  banks,  and 
to  be  secured  in  like  manner. 

In  the  important  change  of  the  condition  of  the  State, 
other  and  more  enlarged  duties  devolve  upon  3'ou  for 
consideration.  From  all  the  indications,  it  is  to  be  in- 
ferred that  this  State  must  maintain  her  sovereignty  and 
independence  by  force  of  arms.  The  Government  of  the 
United  States,  in  its  infatuation,  seems  determined  to  use 
force  against  some  or  all  of  the  seceding  States.  Ala- 
bama cannot  expect  to  escape  while  her  sister  States  are 
subjected  to  this  last  argument  of  Kings.  Even  if  no 
hostile  demonstration  was  made  against  her,  it  would 
not  become  her  dignity  or  honor,  or  interest  to  stand  by 
and  see  tlie  power  of  the  Government  of  the  United 
States  used  to  crush  a  single  slaveliolding  State.  The. in- 
stincts of  self-preservation  would  compel  Alabama  to  aid 
such  slaveholding  State,  engaged  in  the  same  cause,  and 
having  tliC  same  destiny,  with  all  the  means  in  her  power. 
AVe  desire  peace  with  all  the  world,  and  especially  with 
the  Government  of  the  United  States,  and  the  other 
States  composing  the  United  States.  To  obtain  perma- 
nent peace  and  security'  of  our  rights,  we  withdraw  from 
the  Union  ;  but  the  best  way  to  obtain  these  is  to  be  pre- 
pared for  war,  and  if  the  dread  alternative  is  presented, 
not  to  shrink  from  the  contest,  but,  meeting  it  as  free- 
men, leave  the  consequences  to  that  Being,  who  holds  in 
His  hands  alike  tlie  destiny  of  men  and  nations. 

I  would  recommend,  then,  that  the  State  of  Alabama 
be  placed,  at  as  early  a  period  as  practicable  upon  the  most 
eliicient  war  footing.  The  first  requisites  of  this  condi- 
tion arc  money,  men  and  arms.  I  have  already  indicated 
that  a  loan  of  one  million  of  dollars  has  been  secured 
from  the  banks.  I  would  recommend  that  you  adopt 
the  necessary  steps  to  have  this  agreement  consummated. 
I  would  further  recommend  that  the  State  borrow  ano- 
ther million  of  dollars,  on  her  bonds  in  sums  of  five  hun- 
dred and  one  thousand  dollars  each,  bearing  interest  at 
eight  per  cen"^.,  with  the  interest  pa^-able  annually,  and 


8 

to  be  sold  witliin  tlie  State  at  par — the  bonds  payable  in 
not  less  than  ten  years.  I  would  also  advise  that  Execu- 
tors, Administrators,  Guardians,  and  all  other  trustees,, 
having  trust  funds  to  invest,  be  authorized  to  invest  such 
funds  in  these  bonds.  Not  only  will  these  securities  be 
sought  after  for  investment,  but  thousands  of  patriotic 
hearts,  who  have  not  the  ability  of  the  noble  sons  of 
South  Carolina  to  make  gratuitous  contributions,  will 
thus  be  enabled  to  throw  in  their  mite  for  the  support  of 
the  same  glorious  cause. 

I  would  also  suggest  that  the  General  Assembly  make 
provision  for  raising,  arming,  and  ofKcering,  a  regular 
force  of  troops  of  the  State,  and  adopt  such  army 
regulations  therefor  as  may  be  necessary.  The  regula- 
tions for  the  arm}^  of  the  United  States  might  form  a 
basis  for  the  system.  Enlistments  for  twelve  months, 
two  years,  or  to  the  close  of  hostilities,  might  be  adopted, 
to  be  ended  w'hen  the  necessity  for  their  services  shall 
cease.  In  the  latter  case,  it  might  be  well  to  provide, 
when  thc}^  are  discharged,  for  a  bounty  to  be  paid  them. 

The  mode  of  furnishing  officers  for  such  a  force  is  one 
of  some  difficulty.  "Whether  the  commissioncfl  officers 
should  be  selected  by  the  men,  over  whom  they  are  to 
exercise  command,  or  be  appointed  in  some  other  way,  I 
leave  to  the  wisdom  of  3'our  bodies.  But  I  would  recom- 
mend where  companies,  battalions  or  regiments,  offer 
their  services  as  such,  to  serve  for  the  time  specified  in 
the  regulations,  that  they  be  allowed  to  select  their  own 
commissioned  officers. 

In  making  this  suggestion  for  a  regular  force,  I  am  not 
to  be  understood  as  expressing  a  want  of  confidence  in 
the  patriotism  of  our  militia,  and  especiall}^  the  volun- 
teers. Their  bravery  and  patriotism  have  been  too  well 
established  to  entertain  a  doubt  that  they  would  acquit 
themselves,  on  all  proper  occasions,  in  such  manner  as  to 
add  increased  honor  to  their  acheivements  in  the  field. 
Experience  has  proved,  that  however  efficient  such  troops 
are  for  sudden  occasions  or  short  campaigns,  it  will  not 
do  to  rely  upon  them  to  sustain  a  long,  protracted  con- 
test. The  greatest  difficulties  experienced  by  General 
"Washington   in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  by  General 


Jackson  in  bis  Creek  campaigns,  arose  from  the  expira- 
tion of  tlic  term  of  service  of  the  militia  under  their  com- 
mands. Moreover,  it  is  probable  that  the  principal  ser- 
vice demanded  by  the  State  from  her  troops  -vvill  be  in 
garrison,  and  he  who  has  seen  service  of  that  character 
knows  how  tedious  and  irksome  such  a  life  is  to  the  citi- 
zen soldier. 

As  to  the  various  appropriations,  and  mode  of  disburs- 
ing the  sums  raised  on  the  bonds  of  the  State,  I  leave 
that  to  )'0ur  considerarion.  In  connection  with  the  above 
subjects,  I  can  not  too  earnestly  impress  npon  you  the 
importance  of  the  appointnvcnt  of  a  Military  Board. — 
With  my  inexperience  in  military  affairs,  and  the  ineffi- 
cient military  organization  of  the  State,  such  a  body  is 
imperativel3'vlemaiuled  in  the  present  exigency.  I  am 
too  sensible  of  my  deficiency  in  military  matters  to  make 
any  suggestion  as  to  the  power  and  duties  of  such  a  board, 
but  you  have  in  your  bodies  military  men,  who  under- 
stand and  can  define  the  necessary  extent  of  their  pow- 
ers. I  would,  however,  recommend  that  it  consist  of 
four  persons,  to  be  selected  by  the  Legislature,  or  in  such 
other  manner  as  may  be  deemed  best  by  you,  with  such 
rank  and  pay  as  would  be  commensurate  with  their  du- 
ties. 

The  condition  of  many  families  of  the  poorer  classes  in 
the  State,  demand  consideration.  That  there  will  be 
much  sutfering,  and  privation,  and  perhaps  starvation,  is 
greatly  to  be  feared,  unless  some  provision  against  these 
contingencies  is  made  by  the  Legislature.  After  an  anx- 
ious consideration  on  this  subject,  I  would  recommend 
that  the  Court  of  County  Commissioners  of  each  county 
be  empowered  to  levy  and  collect  a  tax,  in  their  several 
counties,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  funds  to  purchase 
food  for  their  suttering  population,  and  to  appoint  an 
agent  to  make  tlie  purchases.  If  it  is  found  this  tax  can- 
not be  collected  in  time  for  the  relief  of  the  sutiering, 
then  to  pledge  the  public  property  of  the  count}'  by 
mortgage  or  otherwise,  for  money  to  be  borrowed  for 
that  purpose.  But,  in  no  event,  is  this  public  property 
to  bo  disposed  of,  under  such  mortgage  or  other  pledge, 
until  am[)le  time  has  been  given  for  the  collection  of  such 


10 

tax;  ami  when  collected,  it  shall  ho  applied  to  the  extin- 
guishment of  such  deht  of  the  county.  The  details  of 
this  measure  I  leave  to  your  consideration. 

I  am  compelled  by  the  necessities  of  this  department 
to  suggest  that  the  Governor  have  the  authority  to  ap- 
point two  Secretaries.  The  duties  devolving  upon  the 
office,  at  this  time,  leave  the  Executive  no  leisure  but  to 
direct.  The  correspondence  is  voluminous,  and  the  duty 
of  attending  to  that  office  is  arduous.  Thc}^  should  be 
paid  a  salary  b}'  the  State  quarterh',  with  power  in  the 
Executive,  at  the  end  of  any  quarter,  to  discharge  them, 
when  their  services  should  be  no  longer  needed  :  or  when 
ho  thought  necessary  to  discharge  such  as  he  thought 
proper,  and  appoint  others  in  their  stead. 

I  am  also  compelled  to  call  your  attention  to  the  in- 
crease of  the  contingent  fund.  Under  ordinarj'  circum- 
stances, the  amount  under  the  present  law,  at  the  control 
of  the  Executive,  would  l)e  ample,  but  the  present  emer- 
gency requires  that  this  sum  of  ^12,000  be  increased  ;  and 
I  recommend  that  thirteen  thousand  dollars  more  be 
added,  making  this  fund  the  sum  of  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars. 

At  your  last  session,  the  General  Assembly'  made  an 
appropi'iation  for  the  purchase  of  arms  and  ammunition, 
under  the  direction  of  this  dejtartment.  I  have  |)(ux;hased 
about  nine  thousand  stand  of  small  arms,  ten  brass  rifled 
cannon,  (six  pounders,)  and  two  Columbiads;  twenty 
thousand  pounds  of  lead,  seven  hundred  kegsof  powder, 
of  twenty-eight  pounds  each,  and  one  million  five  hun- 
dred thousand  caps.  The  cannon  have  not  yet  arrived, 
but  I  am  expecting  them  daily. 

The  Convention  on  the inst.,  authorized  me  to  dis- 
patch troops  from  this  State  to  aid  the  State  of  Florida 
in  taking  possession  of  the  Forts  at  the  mouth  of  Pensa- 

colaHarbor.     Accordingly  on    the inst.,    I  ordered 

three  hundred  men  from  Mobile  by  water,  and  dispatched 
five  companies,  under  the  command  of  CoL  Lomax,  by 
railroad  from  this  place,  to  proceed  to  Pensacola.  After 
tlie  troops  left  here  I  received  information,    that  on    the 

night  of  the inst.,  all  the  positions  on  the  west   side 

of  Pensacola  Bay  were  abandoned   by  the    forces  of  the 


11 

United  States,  which  liad  been  concentrated  at  Fort  Pick- 
ens on  Santa  Rosa  Island.  The  occupation  of  this  Fort 
enables  them  to  command  the  entrance  to  the  bay  and 
harbor  of  Pensacola;  and  as  the  troops  from  Mobile  were 
to  approach  by  water,  I  directed  them,  by  telegrapli,  to 
proceed  no  further  in  the  expedition.     The  troops  from 

this  place  arrived  at  Pensacola  on  the    night  of  the 

inst.,  and  are  now  encamped  there.  If  it  should  be  deem- 
ed practicable,  they  will  aid  in  storming  Fort  Pickens, 
and  for  that  purpose  they  remain  there.  I  also  had  intel- 
ligence that  a  considerable  force  of  ships  of  war  and 
troops  of  the  CTnited  States  had  been  ordered  to  rendez- 
vous at  Pensacola,  and  probably  to  make  a  demonstration 
on  the  Forts  at  the  mouth  of  Mobile  Bay,  or  some  other 
point  in  that  vicinity.  I  therefore  ordered  five  other 
companies  to  ]\Iobile  to  aid  in  defending  whatever  point 
may  be  assailed. 

Your  attention  is  called  to  the  necessity  of  making 
some  provision  for  the  payment  of  the  expenses  of  these 
expeditions. 

In  connection  with  the  subject  of  placing  the  State  in 
an  efficient  state  to  protect  herself,  I  have  a  suggestion  to 
make,  which  I  thought  prudent  to  reserve  for  a  separate 
and  secret  communication,  and  whicli  lam  ready  to  make, 
when  your  bodies  are  ready  to  receive  it. 

In  closing  this  message,  I  cannot  but  invoke  the  bless- 
ings of  the  Most  High  and  Omniscient  God  upon  all 
your  deliberations,  and  that  we  may  he  saved  from  the 
horrors  of  warandejijoy  the  blessings  of  peace — that  our 
liberties  may  be  preserved,  and  that  our  beloved  State 
may  enjoy  an  uninterrupted  career  of  prosperity  and 
greatness.  A.  B,  MOORE. 


LETTER  FROM  GOV.  MOORE 

o:n"  the  suspension  of  the  banks. 


Executive  Department,      \ 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  Dec.  17,  1860.  j 

To  the  People  of  Alabama: 

Strong  appeal??  have  been  made  to  me,  by  man}'  citizens 
from  different  sections  of  the  State,  to  convene  the  Le- 
gislature for  the  purpose  of  providing  the  ways  and  means 
of  protecting  the  interests  and  honor  of  the  State  in  the 
impending  crisis;  and  for  tlie  further  purpose  of  author- 
izing the  banks  to  suspend  specie  payments,  to  enable 
thcni  to  furnish  greater  facilities  for  moving  the  cotton 
crop,  and  thus  relieve,  to  some  extent,  the  embarrassed 
condition  of  the  cotton  market,  and  the  people.  These 
appeals  were  made  l)y  those,  whose  opinions  are  entitled 
to  the  liighest  respect,  and  are  disconnected  with  the 
banks,  either  as  directors  or  stockholders.  After  giving 
to  the  subject  the  fullest  consideration,  and  viewing  it  in 
all  its  bearings,  I  determined  not  to  convene  the  Legisla- 
ture, for  reasons  which  I  will  now  give. 

I  did  not  doubt,  and  do  not  now,  that  the  convention, 
to  meet  on  the  7th  January,  will  determine  that  Alabama 
shall   withdraw  from  the  present  Union,  at  an  early  day. 

Should  this  contingency  occur,  it  will  be  necessary 
fortliwith,  to  convene  the  Legislature  to  provide  for 
whatever  the  action  oftlie  convention  may  render  neces- 
sary, in  the  Avay  of  legislation.  The  imposition  upon  the 
State,  of  the  expense  of  the  convention,  and  two  extra 
session  of  the  Legislature  at  this  time,  when  economy  is 
a  matter  of  the  highest  consideration,  ought  to  be  avoid- 
ed, if  it  could  be  done  consistently  with  the  public  inter- 


ests.  If  the  Legislature  could  anticipate  the  action  of 
the  convention,  and  provide  for  it,  it  would  supersede 
the  necessity  of  convening,  after  the  convention  shall 
have  acted  ;   but  this  would  be  impossible. 

It  was  my  opinioil,  that  if  I  issued  a  proclamation  calling 
an  extra  session  of  the  Legislature,  every  one  would  be- 
lieve that  the  object,  in  part,  was  to  authorize  the  banks 
to  suspend  specie  payments.  This  would  have  caused  an 
immediate  run  upon  them,  and  would,  in  a  great  measure, 
have  exhausted  their  specie,  and  thus  rendered  them  una- 
ble to  aid  the  State  in  her  emergency,  or  relieve  the 
people. 

It  appeared  to  mc  that  these  difficulties  could  be  avoid- 
ed, by  the  banks  and  myself  assuming  responsibilities, 
which  never  should  be  done  under  any  other  circumstan- 
ces. I  considered  it  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance 
that  the  specie,  in  the  vaults  of  the  banks,  should  be 
kept  there,  so  far  as  it  could  be  done,  in  order  to  aid  the 
State  in  providing  the  means  to  sustain  herself  in  the  ap- 
proaching crisis.  It  would  be  inexpedient,  at  such  a 
time,  to  tax  the  people,  and  State  bonds  could  not  now 
be  sold,  except  at  a  great  sacrifice.  I  considered  it  the 
duty  of  banks,  upon  whom  extraordinar}-  privileges  had 
been  conferred,  to  come  to  the  aid  of  the  State  in  her 
hour  of  need,  and  therefore  determined  to  request  them, 
at  the  same  time,  to  suspend  specie  payments,  and  retain 
their  specie  for  the  benefit  and  security  of  the  State,  so 
far  as  luight  be  necessary. 

In  this  way,  a  run  upon  the  banks  would  be  avoided, 
and  they  would  remain  in  a  condition  to  relieve  the  State 
from  immediately  taxing  her  people,  or  selling  bonds  at 
a  heavy  discount;  and  render  unnecessary  au  extra  ses- 
sion of  the  Legislature,  before  the  meeting  of  the  con- 
vention. 

The  extension  of  relief  to  the  people,  in  selling  their 
cotton  crops,  would  follow  as  an  incident.  In  considera- 
tion of  the  premises,  I  addressed  to  each  of  the  banks  a 
letter,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 


14 

Executive  Department,      "I 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  Dec.  4,  18G0.  J 

To  the  President  and  Directors  of  the 

Central  Bank  of  Alabama,  31ontgomery,  Ala.: 

Gentlemen: — The  peculiar  and  extraordinary  state  of 
public  afiairs  and  the  interest  of  the  State,  make  it  a 
matter  of  State  necesi«ity  to  retain  in  the  vaults  of  the 
banks  all  the  gold  and  silver  in  their  possession. 

From  present  prospects,  there  can  scarcely  be  a  doubt 
that  Alabama  will  secede  from  the  Union  before  the  4tli 
day  of  March  next.  Should  that  contingency  occur,  it 
will  be  necessar}-  for  the  State  to  raise  not  less  than  a 
million  of  dollars  in  specie,  or  its  equivalent.  Under  the 
circumstances  which  surround  us,  we  could  not  sell  State 
bonds,  either  in  the  North  or  in  Europe,  except  at  a  ruin- 
ous discount;  and  it  would  be  inexpedient  to  tax  the 
people  immediately  tor  that  purpose.  How  then  can  the 
State  secure  the  money,  that  may  be  necessary-,  in  her 
emergency  ? 

But  one  practicable  plan  now  presents  itself  to  ray 
mind,  and  that  is  to  call  upon  the  banks  of  the  State  to 
come  up  to  her  aid.  The  course  of  events,  and  the  sus- 
pension of  the  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  banks,  will 
create  more  or  less  uneasiness  in  the  minds  of  bill  hold- 
ers, and  will  induce  many  of  them  to  draw  the  specie 
from  the  banks  to  the  extent  of  the  notes  thoy  may  hold, 
and  thus  render  the  banks  unable  to  aid  the  State,  as 
they  otherwise  could  do. 

I  am  strongly  urged  from  various  parts  of  the  State  to 
convene  the  Legislature,  for  the  purjiose  of  authorizing 
the  banks  to  suspend  specie  payments,  and  thus  enable 
them  to  retain  their  specie  for  the  purposes  suggested. 

I  have  reflected  much  and  anxiously  upon  the  subject. 
I  am  satisfied,  were  1  to  convene  the  Legislature  for  the 
purpose  stated,  that  it  would  produce  a  run  on  the  banks, 
and  in  a  great  measure  exhaust  their  specie  and  defeat 
the  object  I  have  in  view. 

With  the  view,  then,  of'enabling  the  baidvs  to  retain 
their  specie  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  I  deem  it  my  duty, 
under  the  circumstances,  to  advise  and  request  them  to 
suspend,  all  at  the  same  time. 


15 

The  high  and  patrioiic  motives  which  would  induce 
the  act,  wouki  sustain  the  banks  and  me.  There  can  be 
no  doubt  that  the  convention  and  Legislature,  soon  to 
meet,  will  sustain  and  legalise  the  act.  I  will  sanction 
it,  and  will  institute  no  proceedings  against  tlicm  ;  and 
in  my  mcssairc  to  the  Legislature  an<l  convention  v/ill 
urge  them  to  sanction  the  act,  which  I  am  sure  they 
will  do. 

If  need  bo,  after  the  suspension,  I  will  write  an  address 
to  the  people  of  the  State,  stating  the  facts  and  circum- 
stances under  which  the  step  was  taken.  I  am  satisfied 
that  the  banks  are  in  a  souml  condition,  and  can  maintain 
it  through  the  present  crisis;  but  it  will  render  them 
unable  to  give  the  State  that  aid  she  will  need. 

I  have  written  similar  letters  to  all  the  banks.  The 
contents  of  this  communication  arc  respectfully  submit- 
ted to  your  consideration. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  B.  MOORE. 

At  my  suggestion  and  request,  and  for  the  pur[)0se9 
stated  in  u^y  letter,  the  Commercial  Bank  at  So! ma,  the 
Central  Bank  at  Montgomery,  and  the  Eastern  Bank  at 
Eufaula,  suspended  this  day.  It  is  due  to  those  banks 
that  I  should  say  (being  advised  of  their  condition)  that 
they  are  able  to  sustain  thornsclves  through  the  crisis, 
and  that  they  have  taken  this  ini[)ortant  step  with  the 
high  and  patriotic  motive  of  sustaining  the  State,  as 
shown  b}'  the  rcs[)onse  of  each  of  them  to  my  letter.  Their 
letters  are  filed  in  my  office,  and  would  have  been  pub- 
lished but  for  the  length  they  would  give  this  commu- 
nication. 

There  is  no  necessity  for  any  depreciation  in  their  notes, 
as  there  can  be  no  question  of  their  solvency. 

The  circumstances  under  which  they  have  suspended, 
should  relieve  them  from  any  censure.  If  censure  is  to 
fall  upon  any  one,  it  should  be  upon  me,  and  I  rely  for 
my  justification  upon  the  manifest  propriety  and  necessi- 
ty of  the  act,  as  well  as  the  mr)tives  whieh  induced  it. 
The  Bank  of  Afobile,  and  the  Southern  Bank  of  Alabama 
decline  to  suspend,  but  patriotically  pledge  themselves  to 
raise  their  proportion  of  the  amount  suggested  in  my  let- 
ter, should  there  be  a  necessity  for  it.     These  two  banks. 


IG 

being  located  in  Mobile,  can  procure  specie  and  exchange 
with  more  facility  than  the  banks  in  the  interior,  and  are 
not  so  liable  to  be  prejudiced  by  the  suspended  banks  of 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  Hence  their  ability  to  aid 
the  State  without  suspending  specie  payments. 

The  ^N'orthern  Bank  at  Iluntsville,  also  declines  to  sus- 
pend, on  account  of  peculiar  circumstances  which  sur- 
round it. 

I  have  now  briefly  stated  the  circumstances  and  facts, 
connected  with  the  suspension  of  three  of  our  banks,  in 
accordance  with  the  promise  contained  in  my  letter,  and 
hope  they  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  enlightened  and 
patriotic  people  of  Alabama,  for  whose  benefit  this  great 
responsibility  has  been  assumed.  A.  B.  MOORE. 


HoUinger  Corp. 
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